Envoy Conversations: Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino on Canada's Immigration Policy

The Government of the UK has released a 2021 Budget Report with changes to the country’s immigration regime. The 2021 Budget Plan unveils several proposed plans.

To attract more skilled foreign workers, the Chinese government has relaxed eligibility requirements and certain rules for Shanghai Work Permit applicants.

The Ukrainian government has posted new minimum wage levels for 2021. The minimum salary level nationwide is now UAH 60,000 per month. New salary levels affect new, pending and existing applications.

The Government of Thailand has added more requirements for 90-day report applications.

The Italian government has published new guidance for UK nationals following the Brexit transition.

France has provided more information for UK nationals to secure post-Brexit residency rights. UK nationals must file their applications for a new residence permit before July 1, 2021.

The Austrian government has issued updates for U.K nationals following the Brexit transition. U.K. nationals must file an application for a new residency permit by December 31, 2021.

On Mar. 1, 2021, some Chinese nationals will be eligible for visa waivers. Eligible travelers must buy a tourism package from a tour agency registered in Costa Rica upon entry.

The Saudi government has created a new short-term work visa for certain foreign nationals. Qualified employees may work in Saudi Arabia for a visa-sponsoring entity up to 90 days per year.

The National Assembly has approved a comprehensive immigration reform bill that replaces the Visa de Excepcion de Corta Duracion with an Acts of Commerce Visa.

In 2022, the Government of Singapore will lower its S Pass quota for the manufacturing sector. Quotas will drop from 20 percent to 18 percent in 2022, and will be further reduced to 15 percent in 2023

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, a new law will prevent international businesses without regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia from contracting with institutions, agencies & funds owned by the Saudi government.

Greece has announced its EU Blue Card quota for 2021-2022. The latest quota includes 380 spots in the Attica region and 226 spots available across Greece.

The Saudi Council of Ministers has approved a new database called the United National Employment Platform to help job seekers by facilitating and streamlining the employee recruitment & hiring process

The Irish government has published actions it intends to take this year to simplify and digitize Ireland’s immigration services in 2021.

The government of South Africa plans to add more professions to its list of Critical Skills to compensate for a lack of skilled workers in the country.

The Government of Seychelles has modified the framework of the Gainful Occupation Permit (COP) to give local workers greater access to the labor market.

Mauritania's Department of Labour has launched a new online work permit management platform. The new process is expected to improve the application process and reduce turnaround time.

Canada is expanding permanent residency opportunities for certain foreign workers.

The new national minimum wage is EUR 1,024 gross per month in Slovenia for 2021. New minimum wages are an 8.0% increase from 2020 and apply to initial, current, and pending applications.